What is 'Christian Mysticism' and Why Should We Avoid It?

[roberthotlzclaw]

The church was literally built on mysticism... It was only until the western church (particularly the protestant reformation) completely axed the tradition by inventing the new tradition of "Sola scriptura" .. just food for thought.

That said I do agree with his point on these new age Christian books about people bragging about their experiences and revelations about God. Would like to know this guy's opinion on more true "Christian Mysticism"... I.e. John of The Cross, Thomas a Kempis, Teresa of Avila etc

[rick_rosamondbatonrougedry]

There is a difference between new age and mysticism.
New age is about oneself and one’s experience with spiritual things.
Mysticism is about believing the promise of oneness with God through His Son by means of the Holy Spirit. The focus is not on oneself or our experience but instead the crucified self and the experience of the life of God in you.
2Corinthians 3:6, Galatians 3:10, Jeremiah 31:31-34

[heavybar]

this guy obviously has never had a mystical experience.

[boopdoop]

Acts 2:17
“’In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

This video has many great points and many in the church definitely are deceived. It seems to me that taking Scripture in context, it is too broad of a statement to say that God only speaks to us directly in Scripture and He no longer speaks audibly to anyone or sends visions or dreams. Rather, it should be stated that any true message from God will align with His Scripture and will never ever contradict what He has already said because God never changes.

God’s Holy Spirit in us is not for decoration. He is living and active in each believer however He chooses to be. We cannot limit His power to the pages of a book and say that’s the only way God is allowed to speak. It’s not what Scripture says.

[melissalaparra]

Good grief, nothing like some closed minded Christian teachings. If certain biblical writers didn’t listen to their heart and emotions (through which the Holy Spirit can speak) then we wouldn’t have certain books of the Bible. I’m grateful for the mystics of faith who have come before us.

[BeerDrinker]

The earliest so called Christians were called followers of the way. The church’s have become Pharisees themselves. This guy preaching is a Pharisee.

[Spillers]

Dude, where do you think the Bible came from to a great extent? People having mystical experiences which were written down.

[SpaceLikeAwareness]

Mysticism is not about experiencing emotions; it's about experiencing a deeper connection to God/Universe. Now through these experiences you may uncover some emotions, but they are not the focal point. These people should actually go to a Mystic Church and learn their practices before judging them.

[boopdoop]

He talks about not starting from your emotions, but the way he speaks is very emotional and angry. It’s hard to listen to, and it will be even more difficult for people who do believe New Age teachings to listen to someone who is so aggressive and makes them feel talked down to.

[TylerMadison]

I cant make out the words hes saying through the self righteousness 😂

[artbyrobot]

God does still speak to us by the Holy Spirit and has spoken to many including myself with an audible voice. My sheep know my voice.

[jasonsaxon]

A classic case of confusing the map with the territory. No wonder millions are leaving religion!

[drednaught]

The truth is neither based in groundless mysticism nor in rigid scholasticism. People's trust should be put in the Lord, not our ideas of him. (whether it be rigid or vague) Anything else is merely us putting our trust in an idol. Sincere faith in the Lord Jesus leads us into all truths of his word. We should be sure not to worship our ideas of God, but rather, in the living God. We are called to worship him in spirit and truth. I hope this helps bring some understanding. God bless.

[RebelJones-wgvz]

I respectfully disagree with your stance on this issue, I had a spontaneous mystical experience with Christ which coincidentally saved my life from substance addiction and a life of immorality. Become anointed with the oil of gladness, the Chrism. I believe people are chosen for the mystical path..people don’t choose it. Yeshua Hamashiach would be considered a mystic if he were physically here today. God still reveals himself and whether he uses the spirit, angels, or the Christ, rest assured it will be a mystical experience. God bless everyone😊

[bphifer]

I would be curious about this guys salvation experience. Did he get saved by reading the Bible or did he have an EXPERIENCE that convinced him God was real which led to him reading the Bible.

It seems to me that if we are created in the image of God then ALL of us have an innate desire and longing for oneness with God. To assume everyone except your tribe of believers is wrong and you have it right seems incredibly arrogant. To assume God spoke and gave clarity to us seems equally egocentric. To dismiss another’s authentic experience of peace as flawed while labeling our authentic experience as true lacks self awareness. Then to assume he’s going to eternally punish everyone who got it wrong despite living lives of devout effort in righteousness seems not only unloving, but actually cruel.

[benjiyogi]

All religion begins in mysticism and ends in politics. I much prefer the former to the latter.

[InspiratieNu]

Mysticism is the true experience of faith, a next step so to speak. So I see absolutely no reason what so ever to no seek mysticism. Your keynote is based on fear (saying things like: "if you do this, you will be in trouble"). God always forgives. You seem to not forgive and base your lecture on fear ... Your expression and interpretation of the faith is even dangerous, I would say.

[PhilosophicalGospelPodcast]

Why is this real. Mysticism is going to be the antidote to fundamentalism, soon.

[earthangel]

I have had enough mystical experiences to know it doesn’t have anything to do with emotions. It also doesn’t have anything to do with scriptures.

It has to do with direct contact with that which lies beneath the veil it’s about finding experiences of truth.

It goes beyond the written word, which is always subject to editing, distortion, misunderstanding, and argument due to the intricacies and variances in languages – especially when you deal with translations. Some concepts are not able to be directly translated.

[insights]

So how do you actually believe anything you’ve read in the Bible without mysticism and direct connection to God? It’s fascinating to me. How do you know with any certainty your heart is being stirred by God, yet someone else’s experience must be demonic or imagined? How then did anyone in the Bible come to this information if not mysticism. It’s amazing to me how people can simultaneously believe the truth of the Bible and then believe only that yet that it’s not possible for anyone else to.